Free Sample Essays > World History
What Caused the First World War to break out
Britain decided to support Russia. Italy remained neutral in 1914.
After studying all the contributing causes of the outbreak of the First World War, I have come to the personal conclusion that ‘imperialism’ was the principle factor. Although the immediate cause of the First World War appeared to be the assassination of the Austrian Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, this was merely a flash point for a conflict between the major powers, which had become increasingly inevitable.
The alliances forged between the various countries bound them to a course of action, which once triggered, could not be broken. National ambition and the need for supremacy by Germany, Russia, France and Britain determined their actions, when each considered that their vital interests were threatened. Old hatreds and fear fuelled the mistrust between the
opposing countries. War seemed at the time the only solution to resolve this situation and once begun, the remaining allies were drawn in on each side.